When we chose to come with OMF International we hoped that going with a large organisation with much experience would provide a smoother ride with administrative tasks such as obtaining visas, and a language and culture program that had had time to mature. We remain very thankful for these things. But reflecting back on our fifteen years in Japan, I see that these are not the only benefits we have had from belonging to a mission with a long history. From the more than 150 years of OMF’s history, there are many stories of earlier missionaries whose experience resonates with our own— these both challenge and encourage us.
For example, there is the story of J.O. Fraser (1886–1938), who proclaiming the gospel among the Lisu tribe in south-west China. His circumstances seem quite different to ours—working among poor, illiterate, rural people. But spiritually, he found the people unreceptive; few came to faith and many of those who did stumbled and turned back. And to those of us working in Japan, for all the superficial differences, this feels all too familiar. All of us working here know similar frustrations and setbacks.
Fraser’s story encourages us because after many years of apparently fruitless work, a breakthrough came that was so significant that still today the Lisu people have among the highest proportion of believers among the tribes in China. We are reminded that God can work among any people and that that work can be going on in people’s hearts for long periods without it being obvious to other people.
But it also challenges us because of Fraser’s realisation that if gospel work is God’s work, then we need to be serious about prayer. Fraser encouraged his supporters to see themselves and their prayer as a part, maybe the most important part, of the work, without which all the rest will be fruitless.
Do I see prayer in the same light? Do you? I know in my head that it is this important, but does my prayer life reflect my knowledge? May the Lord deepen our concern for the lost, and lead us to pray for them and for gospel work to reach them.
By Mike, an OMF missionary
